I don’t think there is anything wrong with doing your makeup yourself, but unless you’re knowledgeable about bridal makeup and how looks photograph, it’s best to hire a makeup artist for a wedding. That’s because bridal makeup is different from everyday makeup. On your big day, makeup needs to be waterproof and tear-proof so your face won’t look like a big mess if you shed a few tears. In addition, your makeup should look good both in the flesh and in pictures. A professional makeup artist knows how textures and product turn out in photos and will make sure you won’t look greasy, shiny or bad in them too.

2. Choose the right colors

There are a few things to consider when choosing what eyeshadow colors to wear on your big day. They have to suit your skintone, go well with your dress, bouquet and everything else you chose for your wedding. You also have to feel comfortable in it, but avoid trends or wearing too much makeup. Remember that you will have to look at your wedding pictures for the rest of your life so it doesn’t matter whether a certain look or color is in at the moment, you want to opt for something classy and timeless that will look beautiful in the years to come as well. Simple and natural looks would be best but if you love colorful makeup like me, you can always use some soft pink or gold on your eyes (or you can opt for a bright lipstick instead).

3. Use an eyeshadow primer

An eyeshadow primer is mandatory on your wedding day. You don’t want spend time to make your eyes look beautiful only to find out a few hours later that the eyeshadows have creased, the eyeliner smudged and everything is fading away. Your makeup needs to stay put and perfect for the entire day and a makeup primer will help you achieve just that.

4. Opt for matte instead than shimmer eyeshadows

Even though I adore shimmery eyeshadows and the way they make my eyes sparkles, they aren’t ideal to wear on your wedding. Shimmery eyeshadows, especially those that are very frosty, can look very greasy and shiny in photos. And you don’t want that, do you? Instead opt for matte shades as those are the ones that photograph best. But if you still insist on wearing some shimmer on your eyes, then apply a white or peach eyeshadow with only a hint of shimmer on your browbone to illuminate the eyes and use a matte shade on your crease as this will add more dimension and definition to your eyes. And remember to blend well as any harsh lines or mistakes will be visible in pictures.

5. Black, brown or no eyeliner at all?

If you are going for a very natural, barely-there makeup look, using eyeliner is not an absolute necessity. You’d still look great without and it’s one less thing to retouch if your lids are so oily or the weather’s so hot that even with a primer some fading could occur overtime. If instead you want to add some definition to your eyes or you’ve decided to wear false lashes and need help hiding the lash band, a precise line of black eyeliner will do the trick and, if you don’t go overboard, it can still look very natural. But if you think that’s too much, you can always opt for brown eyeliner, for a softer, more subtle look. But whatever you use, remember to test the eyeliner you’re gonna use on your big day beforehand so you’ll know how well it stands the test of time.

6. Make sure your mascara is waterproof

Start by curling your eyelashes and then apply two generous coats of mascara. Make sure that the mascara you are using is smudgeproof and waterproof so that it won’t travel everywhere on your face and ruin your makeup if you cry or the weather is too hot and humid. As with all the other products, test the mascara well in advance. It doesn’t matter if the mascara claims to be waterproof, that’s not guaranteed that it’ll withstand tears and humidity and you don’t wanna find out it doesn’t fulfill its promises on your wedding day, do you?

7. Don’t forget your eyebrows!

Often overlooked, eyebrows frame the face and make you look polished. Doesn’t matter how good the rest of your makeup is, neglecting your eyebrows will ruin the overall look. If you’ve never done anything to your brows before, I strongly suggest you to book an appointment to have them done professionally. An esthetician will be able to find the perfect shape for you and explain how to take care of them. If you decide to have them waxed or threaded, go at least a week before you wedding, which will give the redness time to subside and go away in time for your big day. If you have sparse brows, fill them in with an eyeshadow that matches their color exactly. You can also use an eyebrow pencil to do the job, but powders usually look more natural.

8. Don’t experiment with new makeup products

Whatever look you decide to wear, don’t use any new makeup (or skincare for that matter) product that you’ve never used before on your wedding day or even a few days before it. There is always the risk, albeit small, that a new product may cause an irritation and make your eyes all red and swollen. Trying new products a few weeks in advance will make sure that even if a bad reaction occurs, you’ll have plenty of time to treat it.

9. If you’re undecided, try several looks

Are you unsure about what makeup to wear on your big day? Try several looks in the months or weeks before your wedding so you can decide which one you like the most and better suits you and the overall theme of your wedding. If you’ve decided to hire a makeup artist, always do one or more test runs with her. That way you can tell her exactly what you want, or if you don’t she/he can offer some valuable advice. In addition, by doing test runs, you will also find out how long a look lasts on you, replace products that turn out to smudge or fade soon on you and see if any of the items used on your face causes an irritation or allergy.